Foldable portable microfilming unit



G. OSTROV FOLDABLE PORTABLE MICROFILMING UNIT Nov. 19, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 28. 1956 Nov. 19, 1957 os ov 2,813,456

FOLDABLE PORTABLE MICROFILMING UNIT Filed Sept. 28, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 47 37 TI 39 8 h 0 F 34 I FIG. 3 66 33 /23 80 r |O I2 United States Patent 2,813,456 FOLDABLE PORTABLE MICROFILMING UNIT George Ostrov, Keansburg, N. J., assignor to Camcopy, Inc., Keansburg, N. J., a corporation of New Jersey Application September 28, 1956, Serial No. 612,651 7 Claims. (Cl. 88-24) This invention relates to a photographic unit and more particularly to an improved and novel construction of a portable microfilming apparatus for reproducing selected objects.

Photographic units of various types are known, as for example standard microfilming equipment comprising a rigid structure. Although the equipment is portable and may be used at the site of reproduction, the apparatus is usually limited in that it requires a source of power at the site where the object is to be photographed and also is a bulky unit since its construction is rigid. It is accordingly not compact or easy to handle. Other reproduction devices are also known but they are of limited application in that they require the object to be reproduced to be subjected to a particular type light ray with the reproduction being made on chemically treated paper.

it is an object of the present invention to provide a portable microfilming apparatus foldable into a compact unit and easy to transport and store.

Another object is to provide an inexpensive, lightweight unit which is economical and easy to manufacture.

Still another object is to provide a self-contained unit having its own source of power so as to be usable anywhere.

A further object is to provide a microfilming apparatus usable instantly after simply unfolding the unit.

Other objects of the invention will be more fully understood from the following description and claims in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrates, by Way of example, a portable foldable and compact photographic apparatus or microfilrning unit constructed in accordance with the invention.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective View of the microfilming apparatus in accordance with the invention.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1 when folded into a compact unit.

Fig. 4 is a side view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a view taken on line 55 of Fig. 4 showing the flash-lamp unit with the camera lens mounted coaxially therein as viewed from below.

Fig. 6 is a schematic electrical diagram of the flashgun. V

The apparatus comprises a microfilming unit 1 having a base comprising a frame 2 with a raised marginal rim 3 extending around the periphery of the frame and projecting above the horizontal portions 2a of the frame bounding a central open area or aperture. The rim 3 of the base is preferably notched or cut away at all four corners on opposite sides as shown at 5 so as to permit ease of manufacture. The raised marginal frame 3 is shown sloping inwardly to provide surfaces in alignment with the structure to be herein disclosed.

The unit 1 is made symmetrically with supporting sides made in a similar manner. Accordingly for ease of explanation only one of two supporting sides of the structure will be discussed and explained. It will be understood that the opposite side is made and operates in similar manner except as stated herein. Each supporting side of the device is made of several sections or plates 8, 10 and 12 foldably connected on adjacent edges by hinges formed on said edges. The hinges are formed directly on the sections or plates by rolled portions 13, 14, 15 and 16. The plates are formed with hinged portions mating with those on the adjoining plate such as hinge or guide portions 20 and 21 of plate 10 fitting between the hinge or portions of the plate 8. The rolled portions thus form a guide for a shaft or spindle 18 extending the full width of the adjoining plates or sections. It can readily be seen that the guide portions of the hinge may be manufactured by first blanking the sections or plates with several projections thereon and then rolling the projections in the manner shown so as to form an enclosed guide portion for the shaft 18. The plates or sections are provided with an off-set projection, as for example, projections 23 and 24 acting as a stop by engaging the flat surface of the adoining plate permitting parallel edgewise alignment of the various plates in cooperation with a spring as hereinafter disclosed. Obviously plate 8 is provided with a similar off-set or stop projection as shown on the opposite side at projection 26. The middle plate It) does not have projections being held in alignment by the stops or projections of the adjacent sections. Accordingly when tolded so that the plates or sections are in face to face relationship (Fig. 4 in a manner to be later herein described, the center plate permits flat face to face folding of the apparatus.

Each of the plates are hingably connected one to the other as well as the bottom plates 8 and 47 being connected to the base or frame 1. The hinges are provided with at least one coil spring 27 positioned on the shaft or spindle 18 and having its ends 27a and 27b bearing against plates 10 and 8 respectively so as to force plate in against a stop on the opposite side similar to the offset projection or stop 26 (Fig. l). The springs thus cooperate with the individual stops biasing the plates into alignment in the same plane with the plane being determined by the projection or stop on the opposite side of the hinge. Since the lower plates are to sustain the major portion of the weight the lower hinges may be provided with two springs, as for example, springs 23 and 29. Ohviously one spring of greater strength could be used on the lower hinge however for standardization of parts it is preferred to use two springs similar to the springs used in the other hinges or joints.

Positioned above the plate structures and hinged to the plate 112 and a plate 3% is a substantially U-shaped member 31 having a substantially horizontal and flat portion 32 providing a mount for a camera 33 and a flash gun enclosure 3 2- and an electric discharge lamp 35 in the form of a circular tube adapted for attachment in close relation to and concentrically about the camera lens to produce an intense hash of actinic light by which the subject to be photographed may be uniformly illuminated virtually free of any shadow.

The photographic unit supporting members or plates although constantly biased into edgewise relationship so as to have the side surfaces in the same plane may, however, be locked in position by slidable guides 37 and 39 (Figs. 1 and 4). The slides are pivotally mounted on the inner side of the marginal rim 3 at pivots 4i and 41 slidably guiding pins 43 and 44 carried by brackets 45 and 46 riveted to spotwelded, or otherwise fixed, on lower plates 8 and 47 respectively. The slides 37 and 39 are provided with notches 50 and 51 so as to permit pins 43 and 44 to be engaged therein for locking the entire structure in an extended and unfolded position.

In order to reduce the weight and cost of the apparatus the base is a frame 2 as heretofore mentioned and the supporting members or plates are tapered or otherwise beveled on their nonengaging sides so as to give the assembly a pyramid-like appearance and thus facilitating folding in the manner later described herein (Fig. 2).

The camera 33 is assembled to the apparatus in a recess or circular aperture (not shown) in the horizontal portion 32 of member 31 with the camera lens positioned in the aperture and facing downwardly and directed in a direction toward the base 1. Accordingly the object to be photographed, as for example, an open book or a document, may be placed in the opening or aperture in the frame 2. The subject to be photographed is uniformly illuminated by the flash-lamp unit 35 which is operative to produce the exposure flash. The flash-lamp or lighting unit is preferably a high-voltage gaseousdischarge flash-lamp capable of producing an intense flash of actinic light. The lighting unit preferably comprises a gaseous discharge tube (not shown) of glass or quartz within which is sealed a suitably ionizable gas, such as xenon, krypton or the like, the main body portion of this tube being generally circular in form and housed within an enclosure 57 being formed of any suitable transparent material, such as glass or clear plastic and being preferably molded or otherwise formed, as shown, to provide a substantially flat frontal face 58. The lighting unit is formed so as to have an annular portion 59 for receiving the circular body portion of the tube and forming a circular enclosure 60 the sidewalls of which permit the free passage of light thereto when the unit is mounted upon the camera. The camera has its lens carrying portion extending through the aforementioned aperture in the horizontal portion 32 of member 31 and the flash-lamp is attached thereto, coaxial with the lens 33A, by means of a threaded annulus 62 or is releasably aflixed thereto by whatever known means. The lighting unit is preferably coated by a paint rendering the flashlamp opaque with the exception of the face 58 and the surfaces adjacent the camera lens in annular enclosure 60. The supporting members or plates are likewise preferably coated with a suitable black paint on the inner sides of the apparatus so as to eliminate reflection therefrom.

The flash-gun associated with the high voltage gaseous discharge flash-lamp 35 is preferably enclosed in a housing 34 removably attached to member 31 by means of screws 65. The camera 33 is held in fixed position relative to the housing 34 by means of a threaded shaft 66 engaging a threaded hole in the pad 67 carried by the camera. The shaft as extends the full width of the housing 34 and is provided at the end opposite the end engaging pad 67 with a knurled knob 68 or other means for quick removal of the flash-gun housing. The flashgun is electrically connected to the camera 33 and the flash-lamp or lighting unit 35. The flash-gun comprises a source of power 7% of a high enough voltage, as for example, a 480 volt battery 70, to ironize the gas in the gaseous discharge flash-lamp to produce an intense flash actinic light for illuminating the subject to be photographed. The battery is provided with suitable connection means 70 for connecting it to the flash-gun as for example, by means of a plug 71. The gun is provided with a main electrolytic condenser 73 connected in parallel with resistors 74, 75 and 76. A neon bub 78 is connected in parallel with series resistors 75 and 76 and in series with a camera shutter-operated make and break device or switch 79 connected in series with the gaseous discharge lamp 35. The power source or battery 70 is suitably provided with switch means 80. The operation of the lighting unit is as follows:

With the battery 73 suitably connected at plug 71 switch 80 is closed and the full 480 volts of the battery supply is impressed across the terminals of capacitor 73 charging it to almost 100% of rated voltage. The series resistors 74, 75 and 76 being connected across the terminals of capacitor 73 permit a slight current leakage once the capacitor has reached its full charge. Accordingly when the capacitor is fully charged to an extent to discharge the flash-lamp and the slight current is permitted to flow by the bleeder arrangement the neon tube 78 is lighted indicating that the unit is ready for operation since the capacitor is fully charged. The housing 34 is provided with a suitable crystal (not shown) permitting the operator to view the lighting of the bulb, indicating readiness of the flash-gun to operate. Since the resistance of the series resistors is quite large the leakage current flow or voltage impressed on the flashlamp is not great enough to discharge it so when the shutter is operated the make and break device 79 is closed momentarily thereby short circuiting resistors 75 and 76 so that with a large portion of the resistance removed enough voltage is impressed across the flash-lamp to cause it to tire and discharge. Thus when the unit is thus mounted directly upon the camera and is energized through operation of the flash-gun in synchronization with actuation of the camera shutter, a brilliant flash of actinic light is produced in a full circle about the camera lens and is projected downwardly parallel to the camera lens axis to provide shadow-free illumination of the subject to be photographed. With the closing of the shutter the capacitor 73 is again recharged and the cycle is ready to start over again.

Since the apparatus is used only when unfolded and in extended position, the camera is removed from the object to be photographed by a set, predetermined distance permitting fixed focusing of the camera. The springs biasing the supporting members or plates into alignment in thesame plane in the manner described heretofore and exert a spring force strong to urge the plates into proper relationship and hold the camera in an upwardly raised position. However, the spring force or resistance may be overcome by pressure on the structure directed in a downward direction. Accordingly in order to fold the unit, for easy transport, the slides 37 and 39 are disengaged from their locked positions by lifting them so as to keep their associated screws clear of notches 50 and 51 respectively and then exerting a slight downward pressure on the structure, as for example, by placing a hand on the horizontal portion 32 whereupon the supporting members or plates 8 and 47 are deflected inwardly causing central plates 10 and 80 to overlie the bottom plates so that all of the plates are in a face-to-face stacked relationship in the manner shown in Fig. 4. It can readily be seen that the projections or stops are thus clear of adjoining or adjacent plates and in no manner interfere therewith permitting the plates to lie substantially in a horizontal position permitting folding of the structure into a neat and compact package for easy transportation or carrying thereof. Since the springs do not have sutiicient spring power to urge the entire structure into an extended and unfolded position there is no need for lock means holding the device in folded position. When the unit is ready to be used it is simply necessary to apply an upward pressure on the device, as for example, by placing the hand underneath horizontal portion 32 of number 31 and urging the unit in an upward direction whereupon the hinged springs bias the plates into end-abutting relationship so that the plates on either side lie in the same plane. The device is then locked in extended position by means of levers 37 and 39 by engaging the notches thereon with their associated screws or pins.

It is readily apparent that the apparatus can be dimensioned to any desired specification so as to permit the construction of a handy portable unit to be used by professional personnel, as for example, doctors, lawyers, etc., desiring to photograph documents, the pages fixed in a book, or other similar objects. Moreover, a larger unit could be used commercially for photographing prints and drawings etc. yet yielding a device easily transported and stored. The apparatus may be provided, if desired, with a carrying case having a handle thereon and suitably dimensioned to hold the apparatus in folded position.

It will be understood that the apparatus illustrated in the drawings is shown and described merely by way of example and the invention is in no way limited to the specific details, dimensions and constructions shown.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. An improved portable microfilming apparatus comprising, in combination, a camera having an objective, a source of actinic light mounted encircling said objective and operable by said camera, foldable means for supporting and holding the camera and the source of actinic light at a predetermined distance from an object to be photographed, said foldable means comprising a plurality of sections, means to foldably connect said sections along adjacent edges, means biasing the sections into alignment in edge-to-edge relationship, whereby adjacent sections are substantially in the same plane, said last mentioned means releasably holding said plates in said relationship.

2. An improved portable microfilming apparatus comprising, in combination, a camera having an objective, a source of actinic light substantially concentric with said objective and substantially encircling the objective, said source being operable by said camera, and synchronized therewith, foldable means for supporting and holding the camera and the source of actinic light at a predetermined distance from an object to be photographed, said foldable means comprising a plurality of plates, means to foldably connect said plates along adjacent edges, said plates comprising two sides of said apparatus, said plates being movable between an edge-to-edge relationship with adjacent plates lying substantially in a common plane and a face to-face relationship with adjacent plates lying in substantially parallel planes, means biasing the adjacent plates into alignment in said common plane and releasably holding them in said common plane, said plates being able to remain in either of said relationships when moved into either of said relationships.

3. An improved portable microfilming apparatus according to claim 2, in which said source of actinic light has a light-transmitting frontal face facing the object to be photographed and directs substantially all of the light in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of the objective.

4. An improved portable microfilming apparatus according to claim 2, in which said plates have their inner surfaces coated with a light absorbing and non-reflecting opaque substance to reduce transient and non-desirable reflections from said surfaces when said camera is actuated to photograph an object.

5. An improved portable microfilming apparatus comprising in combination, a camera, a source of actinic light operable by said camera, foldable means for supporting and holding the camera and the source of actinic light at a predetermined distance from an object to be photographed, said foldable means comprising a plurality of sections, means to foldably connect said sections along adjacent edges, means biasing the sections into alignment in end-to-end relationship and releasably holding them in said relationship, said sections lying in two predetermined planes when in said relationship, said planes converging toward one another and intersecting one another at a predetermined point external to the apparatus, said planes having an axis of symmetry between them whereby the apparatus is easily folded when pressure is applied in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of symmetry and opposite to the point of convergence of said planes, and the apparatus is easily opened when folded by applying pressure in a direction opposite to the direction of the pressure applied for folding the apparatus.

6. An improved portable microfilming apparatus according to claim 5, in which some of said plates have projections engaging adjacent plates, said projections determining the alignment of said plates in end-to-end relationship.

7. An improved portable microfilming apparatus according to claim 5, in which, the camera is mounted at a point closer to the point of convergence of said planes than the object to be photographed is to said point of convergence.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,388,192 Stechbart Oct. 30, 1945 2,602,370 Dodin July 8, 1952 2,697,961 Casselman Dec. 28, 1954 

